Opposition groups in Egypt are trying to persuade International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Mohamed ElBaradei to run in the country’s next presidential election in an effort to prevent the re-election of incumbent President Hosni Mubarak.
Whether President Mubarak will run in the 2011 presidential election or make way for his son Gamal to run for the post, opposition groups have made a final decision about ElBaradei’s candidacy, the United Arab Emirtes daily Al Khaleej has reported.

However, Al Khaleej said that ElBaradei’s candidacy is not yet definite.

His conservatism is the most important reason he is not inclined to take up such a challenge, the newspaper added.

Certain Egyptian newspapers recently stated that the 67-year-old ElBaradei told a meeting of opposition activists to look for a younger candidate.

Political analysts argue that the country is currently at a critical juncture and say the Egyptian youth will support any presidential candidate who will remain committed to the rule of law and the campaign against corruption and absolutism.